AFC School Board approves bus lease agreement for 2014

Posted: Wednesday, Jan 30th, 2013

Pictured above, volunteers from NICIL, present an assembly for students in grades K-12 on Monday, Jan. 28. (Photo submitted)

ASHTON — The AFC School Board accepted the recommendation from Superintendent John Zick for a lease agreement on school buses for 2014 with Central States. The agreement will see about a six percent increase over the previous agreement because of the installation of cameras into the buses. Cameras will help drivers to monitor activity in the rear of the bus. The cameras will also ensure that drivers complete their responsibilities before exiting the bus after the route is finished.

“Transportation is one area that the state is failing to fund,” said Zick. “We need to be vigilant in controlling our spending in this area.”

The board also accepted a bid to replace the intercom and clock system in the high school. The current system has been in place for more than 20 years and has needed frequent repairs lately.

The principals reported that NICIL, Northern Illinois Center for Independent Living, an organization that works with disabled adults, visited the schools and spent time talking to the students about living with a disability and acceptance of those with disabilities. The students were very receptive to the program and enjoyed meeting the group of presenters.

In other action the board approved the changes to sections 5 and 8 of the board policy and approved the first reading of sections 6 and 7. The board also approved the 2013-14 school calendar.

In a special board meeting held Monday, Jan. 21, the board approved (5-0) the Resolution directing the Regional Superintendent to Certify to the Lee County Clerk and Ogle County Clerk the question of imposing School Facility Sales Tax in Lee County and Ogle County at the April 9, 2013 Consolidated Election.